Community Forums

Colesmeister · 12-29-2004, 04:03 PM

These two-way satellite systems for internet access (such as DataStorm): can a person use VPN software with such a system? I thought I read somewhere that a Virtual Private Network wouldn't work well with them, if at all.

Colesmeister · 12-29-2004, 04:03 PM

These two-way satellite systems for internet access (such as DataStorm): can a person use VPN software with such a system? I thought I read somewhere that a Virtual Private Network wouldn't work well with them, if at all.

aa6vh · 12-30-2004, 10:09 AM

Are you trying to use the system that is on the satellite to connect to another computer, or the other way around?

Using the computer that is on the satellite to connect to another computer should work OK.

The problem is when connecting VPN wise to a computer that is on the satellite network. Usually the computers on the satellite newtwork are assigned "Dynamic IP" addresses (in other words, the computer's address changes a lot). The VPN software therefore, when trying to connect, cannot find the computer to connect to.

"Dynamic IP" addresses are not restricted to Satellite networks. My home DSL (Verizon) also uses Dyanmic IP addresses, which means I am also unable to use VPN to connect to my home computer.

Hope this answers your question.

Dave

Colesmeister · 12-30-2004, 10:44 AM

Hi, Dave:

What I want to do is use a satellite system on the motorhome and my laptop to connect via VPN to the network at work. Once logged in at work, I could run reports, and bring up the menu and do any of the online stuff as if I was sitting in the office. The IP address at work would be static so I wouldn't think that would be a problem. I just thought I read somewhere that the delay caused by going through a satellite makes using a VPN problematic.

Greg

Cruzer · 12-30-2004, 12:10 PM

DirecWay has different levels of service. In one of there business packages they do offer a static IP address. With a static IP you should be able to do the VPN thing over satellite easily. As long as you have a static IP and a VPN appliance the higher bandwidth of satellite should work out quite nice. True there is a slight delay but it's nothing that should affect data transfer via a VPN. However, if you want to use VOIP for voice calls that's another matter.

My goal is to have a TracVision L3 coupled to the TracNet satellite transmitter dome hooked up to the DirecWay system, running through a static IP router with zero-lag VOIP and VPN appliances, which of course are feeding everything with 802.11G wi-fi in the coach. All for $50 a month.

It'll come some day. Wake me when it happens.

DriVer · 12-31-2004, 05:24 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Cruzer:
Wake me when it happens. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I always appreciate a person who takes the high ground regarding technology expectations.

Texas Bubba · 01-21-2005, 06:05 PM

We use DirectWay to connect to a business using VPN. We have to pay DirectWay a higher fee for Static IP and it works reasonably well (about 85%). It's not perfect but is viable.